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Sam Thompson’s sister Louise reflects on his Soccer Aid for UNICEF heroics – and the painful challenges that lie ahead as the feat gets underway

TV star Sam Thompson’s sister say her brother won’t be afraid to show his vulnerable side on his mammoth 260-mile endurance challenge for Soccer Aid.

And Louise says that the feat – which kicked off early this morning – will help smash “toxic masculinity stereotypes”.

She said: “That’s so important at the moment, to show vulnerability as a man. And I just think he’ll do that in such a brave way. We need more people breaking down that whole, like, toxic masculinity stereotype, don’t we? He is super open about who he is and being vulnerable and authentic.”

Sam is delivering the Soccer Aid for UNICEF match ball from last year’s stadium, Stamford Bridge in London, to the home of this year’s match, Old Trafford in Manchester.

Louise added that Sam will try to remain upbeat but she knows deep down he will suffer.

READ MORE: Sam Thompson coached by Olympic hero to conquer ‘terrifying’ fear

She says: “I know my brother so well, so I’ll see the twinges in the eyes. I can tell when my brother’s suffering. I can tell when he’s lying. I can tell, you know, when you see it in his face.”

Louise, 35, is the older sister of Sam, 32. The pair was born in south Kensington, London, and both later starred in Made in Chelsea. The challenge is expected to take five days, and will also see him travel sections by bike.

Today he is expected to run 26 miles towards Hemel Hempstead, Herts, and then switch to two wheels to cycle a further 23 miles to Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, in Bucks.

Louise says Sam will struggle the most from a mental perspective. She added: “Those in between moments where it gets quiet and you’re left alone with your thoughts, that will be hard – because he’s not somebody that is ever quiet. He is always just throwing himself from, one busy work thing to the next – he’s not really someone that goes on holiday a lot either.

“He doesn’t like to remove himself from his comfort zone, and his routine. So, I think this will really throw him outside of his routine and, provide, some much needed, thinking time.”

Sam was yesterday joined on the first leg by This Morning star Josie Gibson who met him and Joel Dommett, who supported Sam for the first leg of his challenge, at the first pit stop of the route.

Sam said: “We’ve done a half marathon and do you know what, it’s way better with Joel. I’ve actually just begged him to stay, he’s the best energy you could ask for and when you set off, you’ve just got so much nervous energy and you’ve got adrenaline going and stuff and it’s just really nice to be with someone like [Joel]. Joel is like my big brother so it’s just really nice to be with someone that I know so well, who can sort of take you on the journey.”

Josie pointed out the plasters on Sam’s legs and he replied: “I’ve just got shin splints but I think loads of people get shin splints. When you’re training for these things, I don’t think you’re ever going to get to the start line without a few niggles here and there.” Follow Sam’s challenge here: socceraid.org.uk/challenge

The composer Alfred Clausen, who is best known for his 27-year tenure on The Simpsons, passed away at the age of 84. After battling a contagious illness, the film composer lost his life on Thursday at his Valley Village, Los Angeles, home.

In his mid-seventies, the star had been given a diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). The condition, which affects speech, movement, balance, and vision, is still untreated.

After joining the show in 1990, one year after the renowned production’s groundbreaking debut, Clausen composed some of the show’s most well-known melodies. He remained a part of The Simpsons until its 28th season in 2017. For his songs We Put the Spring in Springfield and You’re Checkin’ In (A Musical Tribute to the Betty Ford Center), he received Emmy Awards in 1997 and 1998.

The actor’s role on the hit TV program earned him 30 Emmy nominations overall, compared to just 21 overall. Clausen has a number of TV credits, including Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Naked Gun, and Moonlighting.

Online tributes have been pouring in for the star as Al Jean, one of The Simpsons’ longest-serving writers, wrote on X, where he previously said, “Clausen was an incredibly talented man who did so much for The Simpsons.”

The star, who once claimed he almost turned down the show because he was more interested in making longform feature films, could have had a completely different story.

Clausen recalled that in a 2015 conversation for the Television Academy Foundation website The Interviews, the question “Would you like to score an animated show?” He then revealed that he initially said no before saying that.

I said, “I’ve only been working on Moonlighting for four years, and I really want to write drama music.” I’m more interested in producing long-form feature films.

Matt Groening, the show’s creator, persuaded him to sign up, who explained that the show wasn’t a cartoon. We view our show as a drama where the characters are drawn, Groening said Clausen. “And we want it to be scored in that manner. Could you do that, please? Clausen responded, “Yes, I could do that,” he said.

Sally Clausen’s wife, Kaarin, Scott, and Kyle, his stepchildren Josh and Emily, and 11 grandchildren remain.

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Which of the UK’s five Eurovision Song Contest victories, with the most recent one coming in 1997, is the most popular among Brits?

The British public have had their say on the top UK Eurovision entries of all time. Despite many Brits hoping for Ed Sheeran, Adele or Harry Styles to represent the UK in the annual song contest, there’s a wave of optimism this year among Eurovision enthusiasts that Remember Monday could break the UK’s 28-year losing streak.

According to a survey, 38% of Brits tune in to Eurovision every year or every other year. With the final on Saturday in store for the UK, Brits have shared their rankings of previous UK entries. Lulu’s “Boom Bang-a-Bang” from 1969, as well as Sonia’s “Better the Devil You Know,” both of whom came in second place in 1993, are noteworthy mentions in the list of top UK Eurovision songs.

In the poll of 2,000 adults, Cliff Richard’s 1968 debut Eurovision entry, “Congratulations,” and Katrina and the Waves’ “Love Shine a Light,” which marked the UK’s final Eurovision victory in 1997, placed in the top five.

However, Brotherhood of Man’s “Save Your Kisses for Me,” Sam Ryder’s “Space Man,” and Bucks Fizz’s “Making Your Mind Up” are the nation’s favorite past releases.

The Eurovision champion, Cheryl Baker, who won the title with Bucks Fizz in 1981, expressed her joy at being voted the greatest of all time: “That’s fantastic! It’s amazing that we won 44 years ago. “

I was so excited when I met Sandie Shaw, who was my favorite, in “Puppet on a String.” The Eurovision entries Brotherhood of Man sold six million records, according to me, making them the biggest selling! However, it’s a privilege and a total honor that people regard our entry as the best British work.

“I’ve heard so many excellent songs from the UK over the years, and it’s amazing that people think of Bucks Fizz when they think of Eurovision. “

Cheryl, who was a frequent attendee of the WhichBingo Awards, also shared her thoughts on Remember Monday, a UK entry this year. I haven’t yet chosen a winning song, Cheryl said. The song is really good, and the girls are fantastic.

You never know, though, even though the bookmakers are only giving it a 1% chance. The girls’ attire is almost theatrical and historically accurate; it could be something from Bridgerton. “

However, she acknowledged that this might not be sufficient, especially in light of Sweden: “They put everything in; it’s all in the production. “

“I think they could possibly nick it, which would make them the most successful Eurovision country ever, and they’d love to take that crown – but we’ll give them a good run for their money.”

Hopeful that Bucks Fizz’s song “Making Your Mind Up will still be popular in another 44 years” will remain that way in the future. The scene that they always play on television is when the skirts come off, as it was when the performance was made, and that moment is what has stayed with viewers forever. “

A catchy, memorable chorus (38%), an unforgettable strong hook melody (34%), and an emotional or powerful vocal performance (24%) are the study’s findings. A charismatic performer (20%) and a sense of fun and chaos are other necessary traits.

“We’re backing Remember Monday to go all the way, but how cool would it be if Ed Sheeran left for Britain for a year,” Shakespeare said. There are a few different factors that go into a stellar Eurovision performance, as our research demonstrates. There is no reason Britain can’t go all the way if they can stick close to them.

“This week’s award ceremony was fantastic because we had so many stars there.” Everyone is chatting and having a great time together, and the place is really buzzing. “

ENTRIES FOR TOP 10 BRITISH EUROVISION

1. Making Your Mind Up: A Bucks Fizz Track
2. Sam Ryder, the author of “Space Man,”
3. Save Your Kisses for Me, Brothers of Man!
4. congratulations, Cliff Richard
5. “Love Shine a Light” by Karina and the Waves
6. Bang Bang Bang-a-Bang from Lulu
7. Better the Devil You Know, by Sonia
8. Long Live Love by Olivia Newton-John
9. Believe in Me by Bonnie Tyler
10. “Power to All Our Friends,” by Cliff Richard